Collinsville Feb 10th 1858
Mr Brown
Dr Sir
Your favor of the 10th inst was duly received. In reply I have to say
that
the situation of the thing is this- I purchased the handles, guards
screws,
ferrules etc. For the entire lot 1000 and steel for nearly the whole and
had
them forged tempered and ground, made all the tools necessary to complete
the
whole, but never entirely finished any, for the reason that I could not
do
the work for so low a figure, unless I could take advantage of it by
carrying
the whole along together- I have probably spent more money in getting
thus
far than I have received, and all the expence refused to finish them (or
nearly
so) would be for labor
They are of no kind of use to me and I should be willing to put them
into your hands in the state in which they are, if you could get them
finished
at any other place, or I am ready to go forward and finish them if you
desire
it done, I could do the remainder of the work, just as well as not now,
and
should be glad to do so, if I can be sure of my pay
But I do not feel quite willing to go on and spend any more money,
and then
have them left on my hands. I do not feel disposed to blame you Mr Brown
in
the least But as I have before said, I have spent a good deal of money in
preparing
tools to make them, and in the purchase of stock – and some over
500
are ground and tempered which is the great bulk of the work – If
you
can find responsible parties that are willing to guarantee my pay in
three
or four months, that will be satisfactory – I would prefer to
finish
them up rather than drop them where they are for I think I should loose
money
to drop them here, and could save myself by finishing them
Your etc
Chas Blair
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P.S. Business as you know has been very dull, but is beginning to
revive.
If I go on with them should like to know it soon.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/4729/text